Four Movies You Might Not Otherwise See...

Four Movies You Might Not Otherwise See...

Beginners

Beginners

June 3

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent

Best for fans of: Dark comedy, loss, the Von Trapps, Mélanie Laurent

Not since Anchorman has a subtitled talking dog been used to such effect. Take, for instance, what he says to Oliver (McGregor) after they meet the charming and laryngitis-stricken Anna (Laurent) at a party: "Tell her the darkness is about to drown us unless something drastic happens right now." It's somber advice, but it's advice nonetheless, and that's something Oliver is desperate for. He stumbles through life in an emotional stupor, his thoughts narrated with the enthusiasm of a Moviefone recording. Soon after his mom dies, his 75-year-old dad comes out of the closet. Soon after that, his dad is diagnosed with terminal cancer. And then even the dog can't tell Oliver how to feel. The script he so desperately seeks just doesn't exist, not for him, and not for anyone. Little by little, Oliver learns what no one could teach him: that nothing turns out the way you think it will, and that just because you don't know how to handle something doesn't mean you aren't handling it right.